ITV will buy a 65 per cent stake in Los Angeles-based Thinkfactory Media, with an option to acquire the remaining 35 per cent within five years.

It adds to a raft of recent acquisitions to boost its production arm, including a controlling stake in US reality TV maker High Noon Entertainment and London-based producer The Garden, maker of fly-on-the-wall documentaries such as 24 Hours In A&E and Inside Claridge's.

He added: "We're gathering real momentum in building a substantial US presence, which is central to our strategy of creating a strong international content business.

"The acquisition of Thinkfactory Media is clearly a further significant step forward in achieving that goal."

Mr Greif said: "This relationship not only allows us to continue producing top-quality scripted and unscripted content, but enhances the potential for global distribution and our continued success in the marketplace."

Thinkfactory will join the group's growing US arm, ITV Studios America, which also includes reality television producer Gurney Productions, which makes shows including hit US cable series Duck Dynasty featuring a family business making hunters' duck calls.

ITV bought a 61.5 per cent shareholding in Gurney at the end of last year.